Prescribing of medication available to purchase over the counter in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group does not support the prescribing of medication that is available to buy from local pharmacies or supermarkets for children or adults with common illnesses and minor ailments that they could treat themselves at home.

The medications listed below are examples of medicines that should be purchased by the patient/parent/guardian. This list is not exhaustive.

Moisturising creams, gels, ointments and balms for dry skin with no diagnosis

• Patients are responsible for looking after themselves and their children where possible and for treating self-limiting minor ailments with support from their local pharmacy if needed.• Patients should keep a small supply of simple treatments in their own medicine cabinet so they are able to manage minor ailments at home. These should be kept secured from young children.• All these medicines are widely available from supermarkets and pharmacies at reasonable cost.• Many of these treatments are more expensive when prescribed on the NHS compared to when they are purchased in pharmacies or supermarkets. For example, paracetamol is approximately four times as expensive on prescription.• The NHS belongs to everybody and the CCG must ensure that its resources are used in the best possible way for all patients.

Patient queries or complaints

Any patient queries or complaints should be directed to the Patient Experience Team on 0800 279 2535 or capccg.pet@nhs.net

Repeat Prescriptions

From 1st September 2017 in the interests of patient clinical safety Firs House Surgery will no longer be accepting telephone repeat prescription requests and orders.

When ordering repeat scripts after this date, please use the following methods:

Patient On-line access

Fax: 01223 235931

Drop into surgery

EPS (Electronic Prescription Service)

We have moved to to the electronic prescription service in February 2016. This means that all prescriptions (unless specified) go directly to the pharmacy of your choice for you to collect.

This is done via our clinical system and the pharmacy system. A GP will still need to sign the prescriptions. This is done electronically. All actions are audited so it is safer and there is less risk of losing a prescription.

You will still need to allow 48hrs for your prescription to be ready. However, this means you will be able to collect from any pharmacy that has EPS in the country, you will just need to nominate your pharmacy. It is up to the patient to ensure the correct pharmacy has been nominated, just bear this in mind if it changes temporarily.

Patients can still collect prescriptions from the surgery should they wish too.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

Prescription (per item): £8.20

12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00

3-month PPC: £29.10

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.